Hamburger Wellington

 

Years ago, my mom and I attended a cooking class to master the art of making a beef Wellington. The experience was enjoyable, although the recipe was quite elaborate, spanning a two-day process and requiring an expensive tenderloin cut.

Later on, while experimenting with puff pastry, I had a creative thought: what would a beef Wellington using a hamburger patty taste like? The result was surprisingly delicious! This recipe has since become a favorite in our household. It's easy to prepare and perfect for a quick weeknight meal.

Ingredients: 

1 lb ground beef 85% lean 

1 red onion

1 6 oz package of button mushrooms

1 package of puff pastry

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp ground black pepper

1 tsp smoked paprika 

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 

1 egg for egg wash 

Directions: 

Mix seasoning into ground beef. Form into 4 patties. 

In a skillet over medium heat, cook the hamburger patties. Sear each side for just 2-3 minutes to achieve a nice crust; the patties will finish cooking in the oven. Once done, set the patties aside.

Peel and clean the onion. Chop the onion in a food processor. Sautee the onion in the pan drippings. 

Clean the mushrooms. Chop the mushrooms in a food processor. Add them to the onion mixture. Continue sauteing until the moisture has been released from the mushrooms.  

Dust your countertop lightly with flour, then use a rolling pin to roll out one sheet of puff pastry. Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to divide the pastry into 4 equal squares.

Add a couple of spoonfuls of the mushroom and onion mixture to the middle of each pastry square. 

Place a hamburger patty on top of the mushroom mixture. 

Spoon the rest of the mushroom mixture on top of the hamburger patty. 

Pull the corners of the pastry toward the center and pinch them together. Smooth the rest of the outside of the pastry and fold underneath.  

Place the seam side down on a sheet pan. 

Now for the creative part! Take the second pastry sheet and use it to decorate your Hamburger Wellington. You can get creative with this step. Try cutting a few strips and weaving them into a basket pattern over the patties. Alternatively, use the end of a piping tip or cookie cutters to make decorative shapes like circles or other designs. Let your imagination run wild!

Once you've finished decorating, brush each Wellington with a little egg wash. This will give the pastry a beautiful golden finish when baked.

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and bake the Wellingtons for 20-25 minutes or until the pastry turns golden brown.

Serve the Hamburger Wellington with peas, carrots, mashed potatoes, or a side salad.  

It's also incredibly delicious when served with onion gravy.

I hope you enjoy your Hamburger Wellington. Leave me a note and let me know how your Wellington turned out.